The Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center

Treatment For Hard-To-Heal Wounds

A chronic wound is one that does not heal within three weeks. Some of these wounds, especially those caused by diabetic foot injuries, increase the risk of amputation. The Wound Care Center at St. John's Episcopal Hospital offers state-of-the-art treatment of a wide range of chronic wounds. It is also home to one of the few hyperbaric therapy programs in Queens, Brooklyn and Nassau County.

The treatment team is comprised of podiatrists, general surgeons, wound care fellows, hyperbaric technicians and RNs. The Wound Care Center staff also partners with specialists in endocrinology, infectious disease, plastic surgery, and vascular surgery as needed.

Hyperbaric Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a pain-free treatment that uses pure, pressurized oxygen to promote healing. During hyperbaric treatment, the patient lies comfortably inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, where the air pressure is approximately 2 ½ times greater than the normal pressure in the atmosphere. This "hyperbaric" or high dose of oxygen helps the blood carry more oxygen to organs and connective tissues to promote wound healing.

A typical treatment session takes around two hours. During this time, the patient can watch television and can communicate with family members and the treatment team via telephone. Treatment is usually needed 5 days per week for 30 days, and may be needed for up to 60 days for more serious wounds.

Hyperbaric treatment is sometimes used in tandem with other therapies including wound care products, advanced topical wound dressings and antibiotics, and is coordinated with your personal physician. The Wound Care team is excited to announce the department's purchase of brand new chambers in the largest size available, which will be operational in the first week of January 2018.

For more information about the Wound Care Center at St. John's, please call 718-869-8306.